amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

amey · 11-05-2003, 02:15 AM

This is what the USPS counter people tried to tell me today. I went in to drop off a package (when, since it was "metered" mail, I could've just dropped it in a box...). The woman stops me and says "ma'am, you're going to need to pay $5.50 for this. You can't use tape on this for the flat rate. You'll have to pay regular postage. If you send it like this it'll be returned to you for insufficient postage"

I explain that I send THIRTEEN packages like that 2 weeks ago and none have been returned. The guy next to her says (mildly sarcastically) "well, then give it a try...."

Is there truth to this? If I use tape (to reinforce it, mind you, it's not like I'm straining the true limits of the envelope, but I don't trust their thin strip of adhesive) it can't go at the flat rate? The other post office where I dropped the other packages didn't seem to care.

~amey

~Heidi~ · 11-05-2003, 02:24 AM

Have you SEEN the condition of those envelopes when they come untaped??? Sometimes it's pathetic when they are taped! Holes everywhere...ask them if they are going to pay for lost or damaged items since the "envelope" isn't worth it without tape!

UGH...some POs drive me nuts. I have a great PO here...great group of people.

Kori · 11-05-2003, 02:29 AM

I've had one counter person tell me this before. I just try not to go to her anymore!

pinkmommy · 11-05-2003, 03:07 AM

I had one person tell me this too and I think it may vary from office to office, person to person.

patchwork~mama · 11-05-2003, 03:21 AM

ASFAIK (and my mom works for the PO) you can use tape as long as you dont cover the FLAT RATE printing on the flap or back of the envelope.

ElDucko · 11-05-2003, 04:43 AM

Back when we used to live in the Tacoma area (we lived in two different parts of town when we lived there) I was told that 'you can't use tape' and 'you can't use this tape, use that tape' and you can't use that tape, use this kind of tape only' etc etc, all at different post offices. I even used a few different ones by my parents, they all have different rules.

The official post office by the libarary has the nicest service so far. I like one that's in a pharmacy too but it's way out of the way, so unless I'm over there I don't use it.

I don't know what to tell you mama, I think it's a person or po thing. Sorry!

jessica

pb_and_j · 11-05-2003, 05:35 AM

Sounds like someone trying to ruin your day to me...

Is there an official PO place to ask questions like this? I wonder if they have a FAQ on their site, or a place to email questions.

I don't see what the problem is as long as you are not stuffing it so full that you have to tape it to hold it together!

FTR, there is a mean lady at my PO who got all snippy one time when I tried using a used Priority envelope inside out. But one guy there lets this old lady put brown packing tape over Priority boxes and use them for first class!

I've seen this and can't believe it! I think some PO ppl are just snippy...

boyfactory · 11-05-2003, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by patchwork~mama
ASFAIK (and my mom works for the PO) you can use tape as long as you dont cover the FLAT RATE printing on the flap or back of the envelope.

This is exactly what I was told a few weeks ago. My old P.O. would let me tape all 4 sides if I wanted to. This one says I can tape the flap and that is it. The tape can not fold around the other side. I usually do by 1/2" or so though and they give me a polite warning.

Rainedazze · 11-05-2003, 08:28 AM

yep, it is true, but it varies from office to office. My PO will not let me ship them with tape on them any longer. It is because the flat rate are basically for printed matter and that is why they end up damaged when you ship anything else in them (so says my postal clerks)

I also received a package the other day where the sender turned a priority box inside out and the post office noticed and charged an additional $5.50 for postage and applied a HUGE sticker stating how priority stuff could not be reconfigured to ship at lower rates. I emailed the woman and she said she had recycled a box (which she had) but the po didn't care.. they just wanted their additional postage.

Looks like they are cracking down.

Casmi · 11-05-2003, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pinkmommy
I think it may vary from office to office, person to person.

I think this is totally true.

My local PO is totally laid back about everything. Other POs I have been too have been totally anal about everything.

I can't bashed the PO too much since that's where DH's paycheck comes from.

mommy2maya · 11-05-2003, 09:14 AM

I had problems with my po too with this. I think that the rules are there, it is just a matter of how each postmaster enforces them. It does make sense though, about overstuffing them. But then again the sticky strip on them is not very trustworthy.

JodiM · 11-05-2003, 09:42 AM

Umm, I was at the post office yesterday, and the POSTMASTER, not just a postal employee, gave me a piece of tape to put on a flat rate global mailer.... she even gave me priority mail tape.

I think maybe you just got a jerk.

Magoo · 11-05-2003, 10:57 AM

I lobve my PO. The postmaster "Buzz" sings the Tigger song to my son everytime we go in. He was the one who showed me how to stuff a pair ofwomens size 12 jeans into a flat rate mailer. LOL He said I send so much mail thru his PO he isn't going to get pissy about my "misusing" priority mailers. He thinks the whole flat rate "rules" thing is a load. Nice guy

TeresaLock · 11-05-2003, 11:20 AM

I don't even go to the official post office anymore b/c you could go to each person and they'd tell you something different (LOL) I go to a business that has an official post office window. She once told me that a customer had told her they got in trouble for taping but she said none had ever come back to her so she kept taking them. I've also asked at the PO about recycling boxes and have been told by all means and they think it's great. I don't think it's right to tack on extra postage when the box is recycled. Pretty soon no one will want to mail anymore b/c of all the problems.

sahmfiberaddict · 11-05-2003, 11:42 AM

I was in line and some lady had this exact conversation with the po person. Her envelope was like way stuffed. This is what he told her: if tape is needed to close the envelope then it will have to be charged regular mail. If you need tape to reinforce it because it won't close otherwise, then they will charge regular postage. I mean she debated over this for like 25 minutes but I think she just said she would go somewhere else. Some I find to be real sticklers and others are okay. I always reinforce my packages with tape. I don't trust just one seal. Nothing has ever been told directly to me about the way I package. (so far((((( )